Armenia will be able to quadruple gas-electricity exchange volume with Iran in 2019

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. After the construction ofArmenia-Iranthirdhigh voltage electricitytransmissionlineArmenia will be able to quadruple gas-electricity exchange volume with Iran in 2019. To ensure the mentioned volume, 234 MW second power block of Hrazdan thermal plant will be constructed by the decision of the Armenian Government. “Armenpress” reports that Republic of ArmeniaMinister of Energy and Natural Resources YervandZakharyantold the journalists about this on December 23 during the 13th session of Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission. “Currently, gas-electricity exchange is conducted at low volumes as electricity transmission capacity is fully utilized and we have no additional capacity. Iran-Armenia gas pipeline has an annual capacity of 2 billion 200 million cubic meters. We utilize only 375 million cubic meters, 20% of the overall capacity. After the construction of the third transmission, in 2019, we will be able to quadruple the volume”, the Minister said.

According to Yervand Zakharyan’s assessment, the level of Armenian-Iranian economic relations is incomparably lower than the level of political relations and the economic potentials are not fully utilized. He informed that the construction ofArmenia-Iranthirdhigh voltage electricitytransmissionlinewill be completed in 2018. “The works to supply bordering Meghri and Agarak communities with gas are launched, with a small part of funding remaining for 2016. It is implemented by grants provided by IRI, which is planned to be fully implemented at the first half of 2016”, the Minister mentioned.

IRI delegation led by Iranian co-chair of Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission, Energy Minister of Iran HamidChitchian arrived in Yerevan to participate in the 13th session of the Commission.